The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-11
READING FOR THE DAY.


Sunday-School Lesson for september Id, 'S7
SOLEMN WARNINds.-Matt vii. 1929.
Golden Text-Every tree that bringeth not forth
good fruit Is hewn down and cast into the hre-Aatt
vii, 10.
This lesson concludes the Sermon the
Mount. 1t contains an exhortation to continue
in the teaching set forth in the discourse, to be-
ware of false teachers and false profession, in
view Of the final test of all things in the search
ing Of the judgment.
The false way is broad and has wide gate OF
entrance; is easy of access and attractive as
highway, because of the roomness OF the path
and the genial companionship offered by the
many who are going in that way. But truth is
by means settled by mere majorites, and it
is possible to go with the multitude to do evil.
Jesus warns us against this popular peril "Eu-
ter ye in at the narrow gate" walk in the strait
ened way, though there be few therein. The
company is select, and they in pursuit of
end is destruction The marrow gate" means
repentance. self denial. conformity to Gods
will; the straitened way is one Of cross bearine.
patient endurance, perseverance,, trial 1t Is
easier to enter the wide gate; is it betterl 1t
may seem pleasan ter travelling in the broad way is
it wser9 Neither ease nor pleasure are tests or
truth. The many bent on error. and few
find the truth because but few really desire aud
seek it. Therefore ''strive to enter In at the
straight gate" luke, xiii pa; struggle will be
necessary: heroic purpose must possess him
who would enter into life
"Beware" The word stands as danger sig
ma! for all time. There is peril in a false way;
there is more in false teacher, because of the
power of personality When the peril comes
openly there is less real danger; but when dis
guised-the wolf in the garb of sheep-there
is imminent risk. "BewareI" It is a warning
to watchfulness, We ought to test our teach
ers. We can test them, I'VE shall know them
by their fruits" AS surely grapes pledge
of vine and not of thorn, surely do good
works evidence a teacher of the truth. good
tree means good fruit; but an evil tree can only
bring forth after its kind. Evil fruit means
corrupt tree. The cause lies back of the effect
The tree was corrupt before the fruit; the heart
is corrupt before the life becomes evil The
good tree is to be cherished; the evil tree de-
serves other better fate than to be cut
down and burned. Thus far figure; now liter
al speech. Not all profession is genuine. Some
derful works. whom Christ will refuse to recog-
nze. 1t is possible to kindle a fire by focusing
the suns rays through prism of ice; but the
ice has no heat. AD unworthy agent may do a
less. The true teacher is who loves the
truth, and is obedient to it. Such only will be
approved OF God.
Christ is the true teacher; who is the true
hearer2 He that hears and obeys. He builds
upon the rock. Rains may come Jas they do in
Palestine from October to Aprill, and foods
arise-the rock stands. Winds may blow and
storms beat-the rock stands The house also
stands. because it is built upon the rock. The
foundation is the security of the whole building
truth. builds the sand. Now let rains fall
and floods Gomez let winds blow and storms
beat-can you see the housel 1t is gone! The
swift current swept away the sand. and the
house tell in hopeless ruin. Great was the
fall of it," The false nearer loses all because
he fails to heed the foundations; the true hearer
secures all when he builds upon the rock of
eternal truth.